Results

Trim Celtic started their NEFL Premier Division campaign with an opening day victory for the first time in three seasons. The home side roared out of the traps with Brian Faulkner shooting over in the first minute. Minutes later another Faulkner shot was diverted onto the post by a Bellurgan player and out for a corner. Dean Courtney whipped the ball in from the quadrant and Eoin O'Connor steered it home at the front post. Minutes later Celtic hit the post again this time it was Goggins whose shot glanced off the upright. Both sides played some good football but there were plenty of tough tackles with the impressive Jack Murray timing some superb ones in midfield while Keith Jones bravely entered a tackle knowing he would come out sore as a Bellurgan player caught him with his studs. Bellurgan grew into the game and and should have equalised but couldn't convert with a close range header. On the stroke of halftime a free kick fell to Derek Donohoe who curled an effort narrowly over from the corner of the box.
Early in the second half Bellurgan had a couple of long range efforts without troubling Darren McGarry in the Celtic goals. The visitors did force a series of corners but Celtic defended them well. At the other end Dean Courtney's set pieces were causing problems for the visitors and it came as no surprise when the second goal arrived courtesy of one such delivery with free-scoring defender Eoin O'Connor timing his run to perfection to glance a header home. Brian Faulkner almost put the game to bed but saw his side footed volley rebound off the inside of the post. Celtic had chances to put the game to bed but neither Munnelly nor Goggins could convert while Seán FitzGerald tested the fingertips of the keeper with a long range effort.
Best for Trim Celtic were Jack Murray, Eoin O'Connor and Ciaran O'Connell.